Reviews

Overall Total Score
3.7 out of 5
Very good | 2214 reviews

What pakabay likes about Empires Cafe:
After starting our day in Edinburgh with the self-guided tour of the palace and garden we were more than ready for a warm drink and a sit down. Selection of food drink were more than adequate and the shortbread coffee that I had were both excellent. As was the friendly service and the warm light field space. View all feedback. What Jake Green doesn't like about Empires Cafe:
Pretty useless- went for a bite to eat when raining and they only had tables inside despite plenty of room for social distancing. What's the point Edit: the staff at the cafe didn't offer us any of the tables mentioned by the response below despite us asking specifically about them. How can a customer overlook a table ! The response below typifies the same poor attitude of the staff that day. Shame because the Palace... View all feedback.

Reviews from various websites

Gastroranking-it
3.2 ★ from 50 reviews
Angelo
01.08.2024 - 23:25

OK Tea room. I had high expectations but you pay for beeing at the castle. Nothing wrong but neither special. The staff was good and helpful even if it was a bu...

read more
DOVETAIL
01.08.2024 - 23:25

Another walk through Holyrood Park took us to the cafe at the Kings Gallery for some light refreshment. The cafe has had a recent refit which is good and the fo...

read more
Cindy
01.08.2024 - 23:25

Very friendly young ladies with excellent customer service. The high tea sandwiches and cakes were well presented and delivious. However, for the price, i expec...

read more
Tara
01.08.2024 - 23:25

Lovely cafe reasonable prices outdoor seating maker a lovely cappachino

Marie
01.08.2024 - 23:25

I recommend this café which is very practical for a meal after visiting the palace. The dishes are very good and the pastries are delicious!

Visit the cafe in Holyrood Palace for mixed reviews. While some customers were unimpressed with service and lack of tablecloths, others praised the delicious high tea and friendly staff. The cafe ambiance was cozy and inviting, with prices fair given the location. Customer reviews range from disappointing experiences to highly recommending the spot for a relaxed lunch or tea. Don't miss the scones and flat white!.

Heyrestaurants
2.5 ★ from 645 reviews

Great food, nice and helpful waitstaff. Our waiter was so sweet we wanted to pack him up and take him home with us.

Lovely meal this evening and very nice waiters to. Quick service. Lovely atmosphere x

This is my fifth visit to Empire's Cafe the experience was an undisputed 5!The friendly waitresses kindly reserved us a table nothing was too...

Came here for a lovely meal this evening. Such a relaxing atmosphere and the waitresses were ever so friendly. Will definitely be back!

One of the most relaxing and transcendent places to eat. The food and live shows are amazing

Menu
3.8 ★ from 12 reviews
Katie
28.11.2021 - 05:42

We spotted this little cafe whilst on a bus tour of Edinburgh, and having decided to get off the bus to explore Arthur's seat (a fantastic view of the city we d...

read more
Matthew
08.01.2022 - 14:29

Cute little cafe at the palace, nice view whilst having a hot drink.

Francesca
08.01.2022 - 14:29

Looks great on the website but reality is a bit drab. Afternoon tea was good with some tasty speciality teas.

Caroline
08.01.2022 - 14:29

Was great staff very helpful and friendly would go back again

Jake
08.01.2022 - 14:29

Pretty useless- went for a bite to eat when raining and they only had tables inside despite plenty of room for social distancing. What's the point Edit: the sta...

read more
Google
4.3 ★ from 310 reviews
HJ
07.08.2023 - 04:51

Front terrace and inside was quite busy here, but in the backyard there were only us. and you can see Arthur’s Seat from there also.. they didn’t have ice coffe...

read more
Kate
07.08.2023 - 04:51

If the weather is fine, it's worth having tea and maybe a cake in the courtyard. They serve pots of tea for a very reasonable price and the tables outside are p...

read more
Matthew
07.08.2023 - 04:51

Very reasonably priced foods. Toilets were relatively clean. One pot of tea was enough for multiple people having multiple cups. The water fountain was quite un...

read more
Angus
07.08.2023 - 04:51

Very pleasant experience. Had the Spicy Sweet Potato and Coconut Milk soup. Nice balance and flavour. Clean tables even during a busy lunch service. Clean toile...

read more
dominique
07.08.2023 - 04:51

It was our best high tea so far.

Tripadvisor
4.1 ★ from 485 reviews
Zomato
3.1 ★ from 6 reviews
Gastroranking-uk
4.1 ★ from 706 reviews

Good Rated Restaurants near Edinburgh, City of

4.6
Menu
Table booking
Open Now
4.6
Menu
Table booking
Open Now
City: Edinburgh, City of, 128 Portobello High St, Portobello, Edinburgh EH15 1AH, UK, Edinburgh, City of, United Kingdom
"This was the best Indian delivery we have ever had. We have tried many others in the past and the samosas have never been up to par, but these were ab..."
4.8
Menu
Table booking
Open Now
4.8
Menu
Table booking
Open Now
City: Edinburgh, City of, 366 Morningside Road, EH10 4QN, Edinburgh, City of, United Kingdom
"Always good quality fresh food. Wraps are my favourite."
4.9
Menu
Open Now
4.9
Menu
Open Now
City: Edinburgh, City of, 9 Cultins Rd, Edinburgh, City Of, United Kingdom, EH11 4DF, Edinburgh, City of
"Great food at good prices. Served by very friendly staff"
4.6
Menu
Table booking
Open Now
4.6
Menu
Table booking
Open Now
City: Edinburgh, City of, 80 Bruntsfield Place, EH10 4HG, Edinburgh, City of, United Kingdom
"This is an outstanding outta of this world toastia store. two tried to forget what you were, but the other was bark with paprika. They do toasties dir..."
4.7
Menu
Table booking
Open Now
4.7
Menu
Table booking
Open Now
City: Edinburgh, City of, 132 Morningside Road, EH10 4BX, Edinburgh, City of, United Kingdom
"Really delicious eating and beautiful team. felt very welcome and looked after. highly recommended"
4.7
Menu
Table booking
Open Now
4.7
Menu
Table booking
Open Now
City: Edinburgh, City of, 3A Dundas Street, EH3 6QG, Edinburgh, City of, United Kingdom
"Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5"
4.5
Menu
Table booking
Open Now
4.5
Menu
Table booking
Open Now
City: Edinburgh, City of, 5 Cannonmills, Edinburgh, City of, United Kingdom
"Probably one of the best cooked breakfasts I've ever had. Absolutely delicious food and the traditional Singaporean coffee is to die for. We had to qu..."
4.6
Menu
Table booking
Open Now
4.6
Menu
Table booking
Open Now
City: Edinburgh, City of, 190 Causewayside, Edinburgh, City of, United Kingdom
"Excellent food, absolutely recommended"
4.8
Menu
Table booking
Open Now
4.8
Menu
Table booking
Open Now
City: Edinburgh, City of, 40 George St, Edinburgh EH2 2LE, UK, Edinburgh, City of, United Kingdom
"I recently had the best coffee and avocado toast I've had in a long time. The coffee was smooth and was the perfect way to start my Saturday. The avoc..."
4.7
Menu
Table booking
Open Now
4.7
Menu
Table booking
Open Now
City: Edinburgh, City of, 87 Giles Street, Edinburgh, City of, United Kingdom
"Perfect whiskey club, headquarters of SMWS"